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Democratic divisions were first seen shortly after the 2008 elections. House Democrats found themselves forced to choose between the longest-serving House member ever, Rep. John Dingell of Michigan, held in broad esteem in both parties, and Rep. Henry A. Waxman of California, a partisan firebrand and loyalist to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), for the House Energy and Commerce Committee chairmanship. By choosing Waxman, the House Democratic Caucus signaled a lurch to the left, troubling to conservative Democrats.

The decision, along with the budget and D.C. voting rights debate, reveals the larger problem facing conservative Democrats and those representing swing districts, including Virginia’s 5th, where Tom Perriello defeated Republican incumbent Rep. Virgil Goode by 727 votes. These members are caught in a daily struggle over how to best represent their districts while being loyal to their leadership and the president.

Exacerbating this struggle is the announcement of a new campaign, Dog the Blue Dogs, which will cause more friction by targeting conservative Democrats to support legislation they might otherwise oppose, such as the controversial “card check” legislation.

Democrats are smart to criticize Limbaugh, label House Minority Whip Eric Cantor “Dr. No” and call the GOP the “party of no.” It is in their best interest to talk about Republicans and divert attention from the current economic uncertainty, rising unemployment, additional bailout or stimulus legislation, and Obama’s increasingly inconsistent rhetoric.

But in the end, when it comes to Democratic rhetoric about Republicans, as Bill Murray said in the movie “Meatballs,” “it just doesn’t matter.” The Democrats got what they wanted. They control the White House. They have large majorities in the House and Senate — majorities they have maintained and grown since 2006. The GOP has been aggressive and effective, but the Democrats own the playing field. Through their own infighting, they risk losing the game.

Ultimately, that’s what matters.

Doug Heye, a veteran of political campaigns throughout the nation, has worked in the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and George W. Bush’s administration.

Readers' Comments (17)

#1 - The Democratic Public Servants will not attack each other like was done to Max Cleland and John McCain (Dems fight about issues only)

#2 - The Conservative Members of The Democratic Party get more items on the Democratic Platform than Moderate Republicans ever can. The Democratic Party is a 'real' Open-door. Large Tent Party and everybody gets to argue for their stand - they don't get threatened (like Steel did Snow and Collins)

The homeless families are on the rise Barry continues his same old lies Give tax dollars to Wall Street companies Those sleeping in their cars try not to freeze While the leader just does as he will please

(chorus) But you tell me Over and over and over again, my friend Ah, you don’t believe We’re on the eve Of destruction.

The government it is imploded Violence flarin’, budgets overloaded You will be crucified if you don't follow Barry's leads Even though he doesn't even know what this country needs He'll sit in his throne while his country bleeds

Don’t you understand what I’m tryin’ to say Can’t you feel the fears I’m feelin’ today? Folka are losing homes, their jobs no one can save With all of Barry's lies the world looks pretty grave [Take a look around ya boy, it's bound to scare ya boy]

(chorus)

Yeah, my blood’s so mad feels like coagulatin’ I’m sitting here just contemplatin’ Barry twists the truth, with mental masterbation. All of his sheep pass his legislation We all know this is an abomination Being run by this socialist administration This whole crazy party is just too frustratin’

(chorus)

Tons of promises are made during his campaign They are all dashed at the beginning of his reign And the new messiah tells us of a better place Then spends out tax dollars and laughs in our face The the beating of the gums the pride and disgrace You can lie the public but try not to leave a trace Hate those who disagree but don’t forget to say grace

And… tell me over and over and over and over again, my friend You don’t believe We’re on the eve Of destruction Mm, no no, you don’t believe We’re on the eve Of destruction.

#1 - The Democratic Public Servants will not attack each other like was done to Max Cleland and John McCain (Dems fight about issues only)

Okay I get it now... if the neodem regressives disagree with the New Messiah it's called "fighting over issues" and if the GOP disagrees it is called an ATTACK. And I thought only the neodem leaders knew how to spin.

A certain amount of disagreement is healthy if the product is improved through allowing multiple voices to be heard. I think this so-called Dem infighting is different than the brutal war Republicans are waging between one another because the Dems are focusing on the economy while the Republicans are jockying one another to become the next leader of the party. The conflict between between the three stooges (Jindal, Gingrich, and Palin) is a much bigger story than this.

Please keep in mind that many of these democrats are not arguing their own self-held beliefs or principles but rather, now that they are in power, being paid to argue on behalf of whatever special interest group is willing to pay the most. Each House or Senate member will gladly switch arguments if someone offers more buck for the bang. Of course it would be unfair if I didn't mention that the reason no one is hearing much from the Republicans is that, lacking in numbers, no one is willing to give them any donations to talk about anything.all

If the history of the legislation that caused this financial meltdown has taught us anything it is that our elected representatives in Washington are always for sale and constantly scanning the horizon for the next lucrative contributor.

If every contributor to Politico comments chipped in 10 bucks, I bet we could buy our own lawmaker. A republican would be cheaper than a democrat but a democrat could generate more coverage than a republican. We could probably even afford an ex-financial CEO to walk the halls of congress wearing a sandwich board.

The democrats have it wrong in that they are engaging in huge deficit spending in response to a debt crisis. That is exactly the wrong approach. They are adding more leaverage to an economy suffering from over-leaverage. Their policies will produce disasterous results in several months onward. And a note about Dodd: he is a "dead man walking".